La ‘desregularizatión’ del empleo: el impacto de la reorganización del Estado Británico = Deregulation of employment: the impact of the reorganisation of the UK State

From 1980, the UK state deliberately introduced numerous commercial mechanisms and private sector organisational principles into the public sector, against considerable opposition from organised labour and others. Such policies aimed to undermine many of the canons underlying state employment that had been gradually built up during the earlier part of the century (and particularly after World War Two). This paper discusses the conditions of the emergence and realisation of the intervention in terms of the reaction to economic crisis and the institutionalised position achieved by state trade unions. Thus, we identify the crises and ruptures, particularly the public expenditure crises from 1976 onwards and the political changes after 1979. The paper identifies the structures and actors influencing the restructuring process, including ‘New Right’ pressure groups and more autonomous public managers. Consideration of procedures and practices highlights the legislative and administrative actions of the state as well as broader ideological change.